The Los Angeles Lakers had a big opportunity ahead of them when they returned home for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies. With the series tied 1-1, they had a chance to take control once again and put Memphis in a needy situation.
Some may have wondered if the Lakers, who have suffered several inexcusable losses this season, would come out focused and aggressive, or if they would look as if they thought all they had to do was show up.
The former became their mindset. They blitzed the Grizzlies early and jumped to an 18-2 lead that became a 35-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter. It represented the biggest lead they have ever had in the first period of a playoff game in their storied history.
The Grizzlies responded with a small run late in the second quarter to make the halftime score more respectable. Down the stretch of the fourth quarter, Ja Morant tried to put them on his back and give them a chance to win in the fourth quarter, as he relentlessly attacked the rim and got to the free throw line.
After missing Game 2 due to a hand injury, he played near the top of his game late and finished with 45 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. But Los Angeles had enough left in the tank to notch a 111-101 victory and take a 2-1 series lead.
This was a chippy contest, and the most notable incident came early in the third quarter when Dillon Brooks hit LeBron James in the groin, resulting in a flagrant two foul and an ejection. It came just three days after he talked trash to the four-time MVP throughout Game 2, then called him old afterward.
It wasn’t an impressive offensive outing for the Lakers — they shot just 45.6% overall and 25% from 3-point range. But they won with defense, effort and intensity, and those qualities will take a team far in the postseason.